International Dairy Week Wrap
Successful return for IDW
With the dust having settled after International Dairy Week’s return from its COVID enforced hiatus, we take a look back at all things Holstein.
Holstein Australia CEO, Rohan Butler believes IDW taking place this year is a significant achievement for the show fraternity , for all breed associations and for the future of the event.
“Congratulations to Declan, Brad, Stacey and the IDW team for getting the event up, particularly with Covid taking off in most parts of Australia in the lead up to the show,” says Rohan.
“While numbers were obviously down we caught up with a lot of members and industry colleagues in person for the first time in 2 years and certainly highlights the value of face to face interaction.
“I think a lot of the changes to the IDW format introduced this year – in-milk cows shown in the morning and changes to the way IDW is marketed and activities reported on – worked well. I’d say the new IDW team now has a very strong platform to build on.”
View Fort Dictator Dottie Crowned Grand Champion
Following on from their IDW 2020 Grand Champion win with Avonlea Reginald Jacobina, View Fort Holsteins VIC Matt and Nicola Templeton took back-to-back titles with their home-bred cow View Fort Dictator Dottie.
The Holstein breed showed strongly in the interbreed competition with Lightning Ridge Thunderstorm Nico, owned by Kelly Bleijendaal, Mal Nikora and Busybrook Holsteins North Otago NZ taking out the junior interbreed competition.
Eclipse Altitude J Princess – Red, owned by Robsvue Holsteins SA and Busybrook Holsteins was Reserve Intermediate Interbreed Champion.
Holsteins dominate interbreed championships at IDW - Farmonline
As in 2020, View Fort Holsteins did the double, taking out this year’s Holstein championship as well as the interbreed competition.
View Fort home-bred cow takes 2022 IDW Holstein Championship - Farmonline
Holstein judge Murray Sowter, Murribrook Holsteins NSW, explains his decision on champion cow, View Fort Dictator Dottie. "A cow that just about ticks all the boxes for me, a cow that is beautifully balanced, hard topped, long necked, open of rib and a particularly nice mammary," he said. "Her correctness of structure, the youthfulness of her udder, the strength of her attachment and her overall style and balance just gets her to the top of the show today."
Eclipse Altitude J Princess – Red Intermediate Champion
Reserve Intermediate Interbreed Champion Eclipse Altitude J Princess – Red was also the Holstein Show’s Intermediate Champion and took the honours as overall Red Holstein Champion IDW 2022.
Red Holstein Senior Champion was Robley Park Dback Shakira, owned by G&K Wilson, Southern Oak Holsteins VIC.
Junior Holstein Champion was Lightning Ridge CMD Thunder Nico, exhibited by Bleijendaal & Nikora/ Busybrook Holsteins.
Click here for full Holstein Show and Youth Show results (excel)
Junior Champion Heifer Junior Leader
Quality Ridge Sidekick Jane, owned by Quality Ridge Holsteins VIC and led by Cooper Fisher took out the Junior Champion Heifer Junior Leader top spot, with Eastview Adorable Bonnie, led by Abbie Robinson as Reserve and Kalaso Drone Weave, led by Lachie Joyce Honourable Mention.
Judge, Jade Sieben, Brindabella Holsteins VIC, said: “When this heifer first came into the ring in her class I just fell in love with her.” Describing her Champion and Reserve Champion Jade said: “Two peas in a pod these heifers – they’ve got bright futures.”
Sheri Martin Memorial Youth Showmanship Competition
Congratulations to Shae Tweddle, Benlargo Holsteins SA, Primary Handler 11 to 13 Years Old Champion and Reserve, Ruby Polson, Mario Park Holsteins NSW.
The competition was judged by 5 time winner and former European Young Breeders school Australian team member, Zoe Hayes, who said: “Moving around ring Shae just positioned her body a little nicer to allow her heifer to move forward, and she was a little softer on the halter and kept her eye on the judge.”
The other big youth competition at IDW was of course the Holstein Australia Youth Challenge Trials. You can read our full report here.
Cow of the Year Recognition
A BBQ hosted by Holstein Australia for members at IDW provided the opportunity to present not one but two Cow of the Year trophies. Roger Perrett, Hill Valley Holsteins VIC, was on hand to accept the 2020 Cow of the Year trophy for Page House Shottle Noni, with Steve and Deanne Hore, Elmar Holsteins VIC , accepting the award for 2021 winner Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11.
Video interview with 2020 Cow of the Year owner, Roger Perrett – 28 October 2020
Video interview with 2021 Cow of the Year owners, Steve & Deanne Hore – 10 December 2021
The awards were presented by HA President Garry Carpenter, who also commented on the importance of hosting in person member events. Previous to IDW the last member event was the 2019 National Awards Dinner held at Inverloch, with the COVID pandemic moving all national Holstein activities online over the last two years.
Bette Hall – Power of Women in Dairying Excellence Award.
Tasmanian Master Breeder Leanne Dobson was recognised for her achievements in Holstein breeding when she was awarded the Bette Hall – Power of Women in Dairying Excellence Award at IDW.
Described by event organiser Jade Sieben as an “incredibly humble lady”, Leanne’s Fairvale Holsteins stud has bred six International Dairy Week champions, including Australia’s highest classified cow Fairvale Morty Lady 51 EX-97-5E.
Single handedly responsible for selecting every mating, Leanne’s Fairvale cows have gone a long way in promoting Australian genetics around the globe, with descendants of Fairvale Jed Bonnie 94-ET EX-91-1E now having a big impact across North America.
Leanne was unfortunately unable to attend IDW due to COVID restrictions.
Guest speaker, political journalist, farmer and author of Why You Should Give a F*ck About Farming, Gabrielle Chan, was also unable to attend in person, giving a thought provoking and amusing presentation via Zoom.
HOLSTEIN BUSINESS AT IDW
Services Extension Officer, Simon Adams, was busy catching up with members during IDW with a lot of follow up work over the next few weeks.
Underlying the truly international nature of IDW, Holstein Australia CEO Rohan Butler recorded an extended Q&A interview with HRM (Holstein Research Management Dairies) Mudddassar Hassan on Australian Holstein genetics for the Pakistan market.
Premier breeder and exhibitor
Two well known names picked up Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor at the National Holstein Show. Congratulations to the Gordon family and all at Gorbro Holsteins on being awarded Premier Exhibitor (pictured are Glen and Drew Gordon with Reserve Champion Avonlea Rival Ruth). Avonlea Holsteins won Premier Breeder - congratulations to theGardner family and all at Avonlea.
And that's our International Dairy Week 2022 wrap. With January almost behind us and a successful IDW for many members done and dusted, we hope that year ahead provides us with the opportunity to get out on the road more and visit more members and Sub-branches in person. So far the signs are looking good.
What is certain is that International Dairy Week is back and will continue to grow and develop into the future. See you all again next year!